Electric cigarette lighter and process



Oct. 22, 1963 J. B. EDWARDS 3,108,172

ELECTRIC CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND PROCESS Filed March, 6, 1961 66 5 1i iINVENTOR.

3 ,ltl 3,1'7'2 ELECTRHC ClGAEETTE LHGHTEE AND Stones Burnett Edwards,(Ihariotte, Nfi.

Filed Mar. 6, wot, Ser. No. 93,801 8 Ulaims. (Cl. 2ll9-32 This is a newapplication covering the invention disclosed in applicants priorapplication, Serial No. 380,922, filed September 18, 1953, the claims otwhich were rejected by the Board of Appeals of the Patent O-fiice, thisrejection having been aflirmed by the United States Court of Customs andPatent Appeals, in Patent Appeal No. 6583, decided January 13, 1961, ascertified February 20, 1961, by the Clerk of Court.

This invention relates to improvements in cigarette lighters, and moreparticularly the application of a method embodying newly discoveredprinciples for preventing tobacco sticking to the igniting element inautomatically lighting a cigarette by electricity.

The current most widely used electric cigarette lighter for useprincipally on automobiles is the pop-out or manual type. Manuallypressing the knob of an igniting element connects same to a source ofelectricity, which heats the igniting element to maximum temperature ofapproximately 1600-l800 degrees Fahrenheit (in the past it is probablethat temperature was employed up to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit) and causesit to automatically disengage from the electrical connection. The heatedelement may then be withdrawn from its socket and applied to the tip ofa cigarette held in the mouth, and when the cigarette is drawn on Whilethe tip is in contact with the heated element, the cigarette becomeslighted, whereupon the igniting element may be returned to its socket orholder.

This manual type of lighter for use on automobiles thus is oftenhazardous to life and property when used by a driver while the vehicleis in motion. it is difficult to perform all of the motions necessary toobtain a light, especially putting the heated element to the tip of acigarette, without taking eyes troin the road. Frequently the highlyheated element in contact abruptly with the cigarette tip results intobacco sticking to the element, and upon separation pulling of burningtobacco from end of the cigarette. This condition creates the firehazard of glowing embers of tobacco burning clothing or upholstery. Atleast two manufacturers of the pop-out type of lighter have providedash-guards to catch the sparks and ashes that may frequently hall whenusing this type lighter.

A number of designs of automatic type lighters for use on automobileshave been noted. in these the cigarette is disposed in a holder with thecigarette tip resting on the igniting element which, when electricallyenergized, becomes heated and ignites the cigarette The cigarette canreadily be placed in the holder, electric contact established, and thelighted cigarette removed and smoked with out removing eyes from theroad.

in this respect, evidently the automatic type lighter should be saferand more convenient to use on automobiles than the pop-out or manualtype lighter. In practice, however, this has not been the case. it iscommonly observable that no automatic type light has ever come into wideuse on automobiles. I attribute this to the tact that automatic typelighters have generally exhibited the same defect as noted above of themanual type lighter, viz, tobacco frequently sticking to the ignitingelement and the consequent pulling of burning embers of tobacco from endof the lighted cigarette when removed from the holder. An additionaleffect of this defect in automatic lighters has been to foul theigniting element and in such accumulative effects to render theautomatic lighter inoperative and useless after a short time.

it is a principal object of this invention, therefore, to

provide an automatic type electric cigarette lighter for use onautomobiles, and also suitable for table or desk use in homes andoffices, that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, anddurable or long-lasting in use.

in furtherance of this object, it is also the object of this inventionto provide a method or" operation in automatic electric cigarettelighters which makes practical the utilization of the obviously moreadvantageous automatic type lighter over the manual type lighter.

In the accomplishment of the above objects it is specifically the objectof this invention to provide a method of operation in automatic electriccigarette lighters which simply and effectively eliminates the defect oftobacco sticking to the igniting element and the ill-effects arisingtherefrom. 7

Other advantages and desirable features will become apparent in thedescription and principles of operation hereinafter disclosed.

With reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates severalspecies and modifications of the invention:

FKGURE 1 is a plan view of one form. of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of the form of the invention shown inFIGURE 1.

FlGURE 3 is a side elevation of the form of the invention shown inFIGURES 2 and 3, but with switch for connecting and disconnecting asource of electricity.

FIGURE 4- is a plan view of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 5 is sectional elevation of a preferred form of the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional plan view along the line o6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional detail of adjustable means for calibratingautomatic disconnection of electricity.

FEGURE 8 is a sectional detail of selfaadjusting means for compensationof expansion and contraction of the heating element.

FIGURE 9 is the plan view of an optional rectangular solid ignitingelement of resistance material, Without hole in center.

FIGURE 10 is the plan view of an optional flat cut-out igniting elementof resistance material, with mounting plates.

FIGURE 11 is the plan view of an optional semi-circular solid ignitingelement of resistance material, without hole in center.

FEGURE 12 is the plan view of an optional wire-coil igniting elementmounted on refractory base, with mounting lugs.

FEGURE i3 is a sectional view along the line l3ll3 of FEGURE 12.

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view along the line l t-14 of FIGURE 15.

FIGURE 15 is the plan view of an optional spiral igniting element ofribbon resistance material, with mounting lugs.

FIGURE 16 is a sectional detail of automatic means for connecting anddisconnecting electricity.

FlGURE 17 is a plan detail of a bracket which is used in the structureshown in FIGURE 16.

Considerable experiment has disclosed that when the tip of a cigaretteis abruptly contacted to a highly heated igniting element at temperatureof 1600-4800 degrees Fahrenheit and upwards, many times the tobaccoadheres to the element and upon separation burning embers of tobacco arepulled from the cigarette tip.

Experiments further disclosed that a cigarette tip placed on an ignitingelement at ambient temperature, which was then gradually raised toapproximately 1100 to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit temperature withinapproximately 5 to 8 seconds, became ignited and the tobacco did notstick to the igniting element, eliminating the ill-effects of suchcondition.

According to the circumstances described, apparently moisture veryquickly driven from the tobacco by abrupt or simultaneous contact with avery hot igniting element caused the sticking. In the method whicheliminated sticking of tobacco to the igniting element, the gradually orslow raising of temperature of the igniting element from ambient toigniting temperature within approximately to 8 seconds, more slowlydries out moisture in the tobacco, the dry tobacco has become heated,and combining with oxygen becomes ignited. This method does notnoticeably dry out the tobacco in the cigarette except just at the tipbeing lighted.

It is obvious to me that in prior automatic type lighters subject to thedefect of tobacco sticking to the igniting element, the temperature ofthe igniting element has been raised too quickly to high temperature,for instance, on the order of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit within 3 or 4 seconds. Evidently, too quick application of high igniting temperature to acigarette tip already in contact with an igniting element in anautomatic lighter is equivalent in ill effects to abrupt contact of thetip to an already highly heated igniting element, as with the method ofoperation in manual type lighters.

The range of temperatures, approximately 1100 to 1400 degrees Fahrenheitin approximately 5 to 8 seconds, includes such specific applications asambient to 1100 degrees Fahrenheit in 8 seconds, ambient to 1400 degreesFahrenheit in 8 seconds, ambient to 1400 degrees in 5 seconds, ambientto 1250 degrees in 7 seconds, etc., according to the type and size orBtu. output of the igniting element used, and the preferences of thedesigner or manufacturer. My method of preventing tobacco sticking tothe igniting element consists of subjecting the tobacco at tip of thecigarette in contact or near-contact with the igniting element togradually rising temperatures over a sufiicient period'of time (inseconds) that moisture in the tobacco at the tip will become dried outat the lower temperatures before the higher igniting temperature isreached rather than be expelled abruptly, as occurs when the temperatureis raised too quickly such as, for instance, 1800 degrees Fahrenheit in3 or 4 seconds.

After the tobacco at the cigarette tip is sufficiently dried out thetemperature may rise quickly to any reasonable maximum temperaturesufdcient to ignite the cigarette. The heating of the igniting elementbeing a continuous process in drying out the tobacco and igniting thetip, a'

specific application can be stated in temperature-time terms, in whichthe rate of temperature rise would occur according to characteristics ofmaterials and electric current used. I have found that a specificapplication of temperatures from ambient to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit in 8to 10 seconds, using a solid-surfaced igniting element, will light thecigarette without tobacco sticking to the igniting element.

It is evident from my explanation that an inseparable temperature timerelation is involved in the herein disclosed method of preventingtobacco sticking to the igniting element in an automatic lighter. Theoverall time must be sufficient that tobacco at the cigarette tip willdry out at the lower temperatures before igniting temperature isreached, and the maximum temperature to be attained by the ignitingelement within that time may be a matter of preference depending onother conditions. The life of an igniting element will be much longer atmaximum temperature of 14001600- degrees Fahrenheit than at 1600-1800degrees Fahrenheit and upwards. Also, when the maximum temperature above1600 degrees Fahrenheat is permitted, it has been found that thecigarette tip has a tendency to burst into flame before being removedfrom the holder of the lighter.

The heating coil or igniting element of a principal popout or manualtype lighter currently in wide use on automobiles operates at 1600-1800degrees Fahrenheit, ac-

cording to the manufacturer. This temperature is attained in about 10seconds, and several seconds more are required to remove the heatedigniting element from its socket and apply it to obtain alight for acigarette held in the mouth. The total time required to obtain a lightis about 15 seconds or more. On the other hand my studies of priorautomatic type lighters discloses that in general the designerscontemplated lighting the cigarette in contact with the igniting elementas quickly as possible. As one designer states, his automatic orsemi-automatic lighter would operate at 1800 degrees Fahrenheit within 3seconds. My own experiments have disclosed that at this rate tobaccowill often. stick to the igniting element.

in general, it appears to me that designers of prior automatic typelighters have had as principal objects structural design features ofapparatus, and have considered heating characteristics mainly in termsof quick lighting of the cigarette, as exemplified by the final step inthe use of manual type lighters, applying the highly heated ignitingelement abruptly to the tip of a cigarette. This impression is borne outin the most pertinent literature on the subject, in which, when heatingcharacteristics are mentioned, quick heating of the igniting element tothe high igniting temperatures and quick lighting of the cigarette arethe terms used.

I have not found any mention of the defect, tobacco sticking to theigniting element, or a method of overcoming it, in any form ofliterature pertaining to electric cigarette lighters, prior to mydiscovery in 1953 of the method herein disclosed and described. TheWorth of my method for overcoming the defect of tobacco sticking to theigniting element in automatic type lighters resides in the disclosure ofknowledge of how this defect may be overcome, which includes pointingout a vital difierence in method of operation between manual andautomatic type lighters.

Currently used pop-out or manual type lighters operate at 1600-1800degrees Fahrenheit within about 10 seconds, but apparently automaticlighters have been designed to operate much quicker, for instance on theorder of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit within about 3 seconds. The differencein method of operation between manual and automatic type lightersrepresents a difference in effective results as hereinbefore described.I have found no evidence that anyone disclosed the knowledge of thisdifference prior to my own original discovery thereof in relation to thedefect of tobacco sticking to the igniting ele ment.

The range of temperatures-time I have mentioned, from ambient toapproximately '1 to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit in approximately 5 to 8seconds, therefore, is not critical or absolute in my method ofrelatively slowly drying out moisture in tobacco at tip of the cigarettebefore the higher igniting temperature is reached. In the lightingoperation as a whole for an automatic type lighter the range oftemperatures-time may be more inclusiveiy stated as from ambient to1100-1600 degrees Fahrenheit in 3 to 10 seconds.

Several specific applications within this range to meet variousconditions as hereinbefore pointed out will perform my method. Thereseems to have been in the past no recognition that higher temperaturesattained too quickly will cause the defect of tobacco sticking to theigniting element in automatic type lighters, nor that the rate of 1600-1800 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 seconds, as employed in manual typelighters, would overcome this defect if employed in automatic typelighters, considering the ditference in method of operation betweenmanual and automatic type lighters.

The principles outlined are the basis for design and operation of the lihter embodied in this application. It is believed that they have notbeen heretofore recognized or knowingly utilized.

With the foregoing purposes in mind, a preferred form of the inventionis sh wn in Fi-GURES 4, 5 and 6.

The heating element 1 is disleshaped preferably, with a small hole 3 inthe center, and has short opposed lugs for attachment, preferably bywelding, to mounting plates 2. The heating element 1 is preferably ofsubstantially solid and homogeneous construction, and made of suitableresistance material. The element mounting plates 2 have mica insulation45 between them and a dielectric base 67. One element mounting plate 2is secured to the base 67 by bolt 49 and nut 48, which also secures abimetallic strip 41 which is hereinafter explained. The other elementmounting plate 2 is secured to the base 67 and to the case member 44 bya threaded bolt 50 engaging a hole in the case member 44. Bolt 51secures the other side of the base 67, hearing against lugs 46 on thecase 18. This construction facilitates replacement of a burned outheating element whenever this might become necessary.

A stem 24 passes through the case 7.3 and mounting panel to which it isfastened by nut 2a. Holder ill fits inside the stem 24 and is firmlyheld therein by springy prongs 22, but may be readily removed forcleaning whenever desired. The holder ltl has a springy prong 23 whichlightly holds a cigarette in place when one is inserted in the holder.

Positive terminal is mounted on one side of case lb and is insulatedtherefrom, and the head 38 constitutes a contact to engage with contact39 of bimetallic strip 42. The terminal 36 passes through insulatingmember 37, insulating washer 32, retaining nut 33, terminal lug 34, andterminal nut 35.

A connecting switch consists of case 29 affixed to case 18 by lugs 30passing through holes in case 1%, spring 28, plunger 26 which has awasher 2'7 bearing against a shoulder, and insulating and heatproofoperating disk 3. Panel plate 19 is fastened to plunger 26 by screw 25.

A removable cleanout is friction-fitted in base 67, and preferably hasventilating holes 47. Other ventilating holes, such as 42 in case 13,and 85 in holder preferably should be provided.

Positive lead 83 is attached to termianl lug 34, and may be a resistancecord, or a suitable resistor 87 may be provided, when it is necessary toadjust the source of electricity to desired electrical value for heatingthe element I. It is preferred to use a resistor having highertemperature coefficient of resistance than the igniting element forregulating the rate of temperature rise in the igniting element 1according to the method hereinbefore described. I have used a nicklewire-wound resistor (other wire, such as iron, having similar orsuitable electrical-temperature coifiecient characteristics would beeffective) for this purpose, and also additionally to obtain limitationof the maximum temperature to be attained by the igniting element, suchas 1400-1600 degrees Fahrenheit, even if there should be considerabledelay in tie-energizing the igniting element. With a register of thistype, temperature rise in the resistor will act to adjust the values ofthe electric current used to the maximum temperature to be attained inthe igniting element within the desired overall time period.

One of the element mounting plates 2 is grounded to case member 44 ofthe case 18 which in turn is grounded to the mounting panel 2%) of anautomobile, which provides negative connection to source of electricity.The positive lead 83 may be attached to any suitable positive terminalat the instrument panel.

In operation, a cigarette held between the thumb and forefinger isinserted in holder ill, and with the same motion the thumb presses downlightly on panel plate 19. ilunger 26 is thereby depressed againstaction of spring 28, end of bimetallic strip 41 under some tensionagainst disk 31 slips atop disk 31, and contact 39 on bimetallic strip41 engages contact 38, which establishes a current through the heatingelement 1 and bimetallic strip ill.

Bimetallic strip 41 is so designed and calibrated that when the element)1 has been heated sufficiently to ignite the cigarette, bimetallicstrip 41 becomes sufiiciently heated to warp its end from engagementatop disk 31 and release plunger 26 to return to normal unoperatedposition through action of spring 28. This will cause an audible clickand li hted cigarette may then be removed and smoked. As the bimetallicstrip 41 cools it comes to rest again on disk 31 which withholds it fromengaging positive contact 33 until the switch is again operated.

if desired, the positive terminal and contact may be made adjustable topermit ready calibration of the automatic disconnection of electricity,as shown in FIGURE 7. Terminal and contact 53 is in two parts, having asleeve 54 through which terminal 53 passes, being adjustably securedtherein by tight threads. The structure is otherwise as shown in FIGURE5. In this way adjustment of contact 53 in relation to contact 39 ofthe'bimetallic strip 5-1 will provide precise calibration at any time.

Should it also be desired to provide self-adjusting means to allow forexpansion and contraction of the heating element ll, this may be done asshown in FIGURE 8. The case member 44 has turned-down edges 59 whichprovide a channel in which element mounting plate 2 may slide. Plate 2has a slot 55, and the base assembly is secured by threaded bolt 58engaging case member 44. The assembly is spring-loaded by spring washer57, which maintains good electrical contact between mounting plate 2 andcase member 44, yet permits slight movement of mounting plate 2 tocompensate for expansion and contraction of the heating element 1. Iffurther desired, element mounting plate 2 may be bonded to the case by aflexible conductor.

Automatic connection of electricity by insertion of a cigarette inholder 40 may be accomplished as shown in lFlGURES 16 and 17. Bimetallicstrip 41 is held in tension by latch '74 hinged on pin 76 affixed tomounting plate 63. A trip lock '75 is afiixed to latch 74. A trip '73extends into holder 40, and being depressed against light action ofspring '70 when a cigarette is placed in holder til, forces trip leverSt to raise latch and permit contact 3% to engage contact 38, whichestablishes the electrical circuit. Trip lever 80 disengages from triplock 75 through action against pin '79. The latch '74 and trip lever 86so coact as to properly reengage regardless of whether the cigarette isremoved before or after bimetallic strip 41 warps and disengages.

When this arrangement is used instead of manual connection, panel plate19 may be friction-held on stem 24 or threaded thereon.

The most simple form of the invention for practical use is shown inFIGURES l and 2. This consists of element I, mounted on plates 2, andthis heating assembly mounted on base Ell, with mica insulation 10 inbetween. Electric leads 7 may be plugged in on a suitable source ofelectricity. A resistance cord or a resistor may be used to adapt asource of electricity to the heating element. Expansion and contractionof the element may be compensated by slight modification of meansillustrated in FIGURE 8. A removable cleanout 12; may be provided.

FIGURE 3 shows this form of the invention fitted with means forconnecting and disconnecting the element to a source of electricity. Aformed spring 16 is secured by terminal bolt 15, has an insulating mob1d and a contact 13. Element mounting plate 2 is secured by bolt orrivet having a contact head 5. With a cigarette held between thumb andforefinger and the cigarette tip resting on element 1, the middle fingermay be used to depress knob 14 and engage contacts 5 and 13,establishing the electrical circuit. When the lighted cigarette isremoved spring 16 separates contacts 5 and 13, disconnecting theelectricity.

The substantially solid and homogeneous form of heating elementdesignated at l is preferred. It will put out more heat for overall sizethan the open type elements, which is desirable in the method hereindescribed, and has no crevices in which ash may accumulate and require1016 frequent cleaning than the solid type igniting element.

7 However, other forms of igniting element which would perform themethod are shown in FIGURES 9 to 15, inclusive, and areself-explanatory.

Although the preferred form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 4,and 6, is depicted in upright position, this model may be made with theholder 40' in a slanted position, which may have some advantages overthe upright position. The automatic lighting method disclosed anddescribed herein will function in either of these or any position.

Having thus fully described the invention and the principles ofoperation, it will be seen that there has been provided a very simplyconstructed automatic lighting device for cigarettes suitable forautomobile, table and desk use, which may be economically manufactured,and will be durable and practically foolproof in operation.

It will be appreciated that these results are attained in connectionwith the method of preventing tobacco sticking to the igniting elementas herein disclosed, the application of some new principles thought notto have been heretofore recognized or utilized, and that combinations ofthe essential parts other than the combinations herein illustrated maybe made.

Therefore, variations and modifications may be made within the scope ofthis invention, some portions of the improvements may be combined withother portions, and portions of the improvements may be used withoutothers.

While there have been disclosed in this specification species which arespecific with several modifications in details, it is to be understoodthat these forms are shown and described for the purpose of illustrationonly, and that the invention is not to be limited to the specificdisclosures but may be further modified and embodied in various otherforms without departure from its spirit.

As a matter of fact, the invention includes all the modifications andembodiments coming within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, andfor which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is: g

1. The herein described method of lighting a cigarette with anelectrically heated igniting element, comprising holding the tip of thecigarette in contact with the unenergized igniting element, andeffectually concurrent with thus disposing the cigarette, electricallyenergizing the said igniting element in a manner subjecting thecigarette tip gradually to temperatures within the temperatures-timerange from ambient to 1100 to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit in 5 to 8 seconds,whereby moisture in the tobacco at tip of the cigarette is dried out atthe lower temperatures before the higher igniting temperature is reachedand thus preventing tobacco sticking to the igniting element, andremoving the cigarette from the said igniting element when the cigarettebecomes lighted.

2. The herein described method of lighting a cigarette with anelectrically heated igniting element, comprising holding the tip of thecigarette in contact with the unenergized igniting element, andeifectually concurrent with thus disposing the cigarette, electricallyenergizing the sa d igniting element in a manner subjecting thecigarettetip gradually to temperatures within the temperatures-ume rangefrom ambient to 1100 to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit in 5 to 8 seconds,whereby moisture in the tobacco at tip of the cigarette is dried out atthe lower temperatures before the higher igniting temperature is reachedand thus preventing tobacco sticking to the igniting'element, andthermostatically de-energizing the said igniting element when thecigarette becomes li hted and before the said cigarette tip flames, andremoving the cigarette from the said igniting element when the cigarettebecomes lighted.

3. The herein described method of lighting a cigarette with anelectrically heated igniting element, comprising holding the tip of thecigarette in contact with the unenergizcd igniting element, andeffectually concurrent with thus disposing the cigarette, electricallyenergizing the said igniting element in a manner subjecting thecigarette tip gradually to temperatures from ambient to 1400* degreesFahrenheit in 10 seconds, whereby moisture in the tobacco at tip of thecigarette is dried out at the lower temperatures before the higherigniting temperature is reached and thus preventing tobacco sticking tothe igniting element, and removing the cigarette from the said ignitingelement when the cigarette becomes lighted.

4. The herein described method of lighting a cigarette with anelectrically heated igniting element, comprising holding the tip of thecigarette in contact with the unenergized igniting element, andeffectually concurrent with thus disposing the cigarette, electricallyenergizing the said igniting element in a manner subjecting thecigarette tip gradually to temperatures from ambient to 1400 degreesFalnenheit in 10 seconds, whereby moisture in the tobacco at tip of thecigarette is dried out at the lower temperatures before the higherigniting temperature is reached and thus preventing tobacco sticking tothe igniting element, and thermostatically de-energizing the saidigniting element when the cigarette becomes lighted and before the saidcigarette tip flames, and removing the cigarette from the said ignitingelement when the cigarette becomes lighted.

5. The herein described method of lighting a cigarette with anelectrically heated igniting element, comprising holding the tip of thecigarette in contact with the unenergized igniting element, andeffectually concurrent with thus disposing the cigarette, electricallyenergizing the said igniting element in a manner subjecting thecigarette tip gradually to temperatures from ambient to 1600 degreesFahrenheit in 7 seconds, whereby moisture in the tobacco at tip of thecigarette is dried out at the lower temperatures before the higherigniting temperature is reached and thus preventing tobacco sticking tothe igniting element, and

thermostatically tie-energizing the said igniting element when thecigarette becomes lighted and before the said cigarette tip flames, andremoving the cigarette from the said igniting element when the cigarettebecomes lighted.

6. The herein described method of lighting a cigarette with anelectrically heated igniting element, comprising holding the tip of thecigarette in contact with the unenergized igniting element, andeffectually concurrent with thus disposing the cigarette, electricallyenergizing the said igniting element in a manner subjecting thecigarette tip gradually to temperatures from ambient to 1400 degreesFahrenheit in 8 seconds, whereby moisture in the tobacco at tip of thecigarette is dried out at the lower temperatures before the higherigniting temperature is reached and thus preventing tobacco sticking tothe igniting element, and thermostatically de-energizing the saidigniting element when the cigarette becomes lighted and before the saidcigarette tip flames, and removing the cigarette from the said ignitingelement when the cigarette becomes lighted.

7. The herein described method of lighting a cigarette with anelectrically heated igniting element, comprising holding the tip of thecigarette in contact with the unener gized igniting element, andeffectually concurrent with thus disposing the cigarette, electricallyenergizing the said igniting element in a manner subjecting thecigarette tip gradually to temperatures from ambient to 1350 degreesFahrenheit in 9 seconds, whereby moisture in the tobacco at tip of thecigarette is dried out at the lower temperatures before the higherigniting temperature is reached and thus preventing tobacco sticking tothe igniting element, and thermostatically de-ener-gizing the saidigniting element when the cigarette becomes lighted and before the saidcigarette tip flames, and removing the cigarette from the said ignitingelement when the cigarette becomes lighted.

8. The herein described method of lighting a cigarette with anelectrically heated igniting element, comprising holding the tip of thecigarette in contact with the unenergized igniting element, andeffectually concurrent with thus disposing the cigarette, electricallyenergizing the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS Clark Jan. 15, 1918 Grandich Aug. 9, 192 1 Bate May 11, 1926Copeland Feb. 9, 1932 Baum-an et a1 July 219', 1.952 Cronan Dec. 22,1953

1. THE HEREIN DESCRIBE METHOD OF LIGHTING A CIGARETTE WITH ANELECTRICALLY HEATED IGNITING ELEMENT, COMPRISING HOLDING THE TIP OF THECIGARETTE IN CONTACT WITH THE UNENERGIZED IGNITING ELEMENT, ANDEFFECTUALLY CONCURRENT WITH THUS DISPOSING THE CIGARETTE, ELECTRICALLYENERGIZING THE SAID IGNITING ELEMENT IN A MANNER SUBJECTING THECIGARETTE TIP GRADUALLY TO TEMPERATURES WITH THE TEMPERATURES-TIME RANGEFROM AMBIENT TO 1100 TO 1400*F IN 5 TO 8 SECONDS, WHEREBY MOISTURE INTHE TOBACCO AT TIP OF THE CIGARETTE IS DRIED OUT AT THE LOWERTEMPERATURES BEFORE THE HIGHER IGNITING TEMPERATURE IS REACHED AND THUSPREVENTING TOBACCO STICKING TO THE IGNITING ELEMENT, AND